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Lamictal and rashes

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Posted 5/12/2007 7:07 AM (GMT 0)
 

  Hi all,

  I usually post on the multiple sclerosis board. However you are definately more knowledgable in this area.  My neuro doc put me on lamical for tri geminal pain and for mood swings. He felt if I could just get a break from pain and depression then perhaps I would be able to concentrate better etc, etc. I started on 25mgs once in the morning and once at night. I felt great for 2 weeks then broke out in mild hives...not so much a rash as raised welts of hives. The doc took me off for a week and then I stated again. I had the same reaction within 2 days so backed it off to 25mgs in the morning with no reactions. I must tell you that I also take fluoxetine once in the morning for depression and lorazepam for anxiety and muscle cramps. So far I feel fine. Wish I could blame the brain fog on my medication (lol!) but I place it in my case squarely where it belongs...on the ms lesions in my brain! Definately and the brain fog before the Lamictal.

  My question is this. I am just about to bump my Lamictal back to 25mgs 2 times a day and hope for the best. What does the Stevens-Johnson rash look like? How many of you get a fuzzy head from Lamictal? Have you heard about interactions with other drugs, because I didn't find anything of significance for the 2 other drugs that I am on. I was interested in your info that at low doses the reactions can be greater. Did I understand that correctly?

  I like this med and would like to continue it, but don't know if I should wait out some of the side effects until my body adjusts or give it up if I have another outbreak of hives. I value your input as you know much more than anyone else I have tried talking to. Thank you for any advice you can give me.  Dale tongue

Posted 5/12/2007 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
DFC,

I was on Lamictal for almost 2 years in the past, and was on a dose of 300mg in the end.  I used to get the brain fogs, but not as much as the ones I get on Lithium.  But it can also be your meds combo that give you the fogs.

I used to also get random, but minor rashes/hives.  That is one of side effects of Lamictal.  I ran to my pdoc and other specialists and they told me it was minor rashes and nothing to worry about.  I was told that if it was Stevens-Johnson that I would know.  I was like you when I was on Lamictal, so I went looking in medical books what it looked like and it was very scary.

I was also told that, you would have a high fever, vomiting and other major symptoms.

I noticed it was worse at times when I spent outdoors on a warmer day or when I was out in the sun.  It actually tells you on the medication info sheet not to be out in the sun too long.

http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_lamictal.pdf  pages 35-37 have the most common side effects

But if you really are concerned, you should call you pdoc or a dermatologist and have it checked out.

Posted 5/12/2007 4:50 PM (GMT 0)

  Thanks to both of you for your input. I really appreciate. Take care both of you and I will check the sites you gave me. I live in a port city so have fog alot so don't see the sun much anyway. sad  I am just about to bump it up to 50mgs a day so we shall see what that will do. Thanks again ladies.    Dale :-)

Posted 5/13/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Dale,

I am glad to be of help, I hope that was what you were looking for.  Bummer about the sun thing.  Hope the 50mg works out for you.  Best wishes!  :-)

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